Special Collection—Sunday, January 12
The Special Collection on January 12th will benefit Open Doors, a non-profit organization that People’s Church is partnering with in our community. For more than 40 years, Open Doors has been helping families achieve housing success through programs, partnerships and advocacy.
Open Doors began as a coffee house/drop-in center offering support to young people in the area. When its founders discovered there were many young men and women who had nowhere to live, they turned their focus to providing overnight shelter. The Next Door was the first home for homeless women in Kalamazoo. At the Open Door (shelter for men) and Next Door, now many years later, this organization continues to develop relationships with its guests, work with them on their employment and personal issues and encourage them to stay long enough to gain stability. On average, two thirds of Open Doors’ guests are able to find employment, save for future housing, and maintain sobriety.
For more information about Open Doors; got to: http://www.opendoorskalamazoo.org/
Loaves & Fishes Food Collection
The Loaves & Fishes Express Truck will be at church on January 5th and 12th to receive our non-perishable food gifts. There is a special need this time of year for kid-friendly foods that can be packed into lunches or backpacks. A gift to Loaves & Fishes is a great way to begin the new year!
ISAAC Update
Work is beginning by the two new issue task forces: Gun Violence Prevention and Anti-Racism.
A Service and Remembrance Vigil for Kalamazoo Victims of Gun Violence will be held on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at 4 pm at Galilee Baptist Church, co-sponsored by Coalition for Common Ground, ISAAC and others. ISAAC is a key partner in the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Initiative in Kalamazoo, housed at the Kalamazoo Foundation and funded by Kellogg Foundation. As part of this work, members of ISAAC congregations and organizations are being invited to participate in 3-hour Racial Healing Circles. These will be offered periodically with invitations going out to members as space is available. For more info about these activities, see https://isaackalamazoo.org/
Lincoln School Partnership Update
People’s People donated many gifts to the Lincoln School children’s Holiday Shop, an event where the students can “shop” for items to give to their family members for Christmas. The gifts were collected at church during the first two weeks of December and at the Holiday Party sponsored by the Social Justice and Membership/Connections Committees.
Thanks to everyone for your generosity!
Anyone is welcome to sit in on Social Justice Coordinating Committee meetings. The SJCC meets the second Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room L1.
